Following nearly a decade with the Historical Society, Ben was recruited to Graland School where he did mostly development and alumni work. Ben also worked for Denver Zoo as its Vice President for development. Most recently, he has been the Deputy Director of Colorado Conservation Trust.

Ben first visited Mesa Verde and the Four Corners area with his family in the mid 1960s. Those early adventures, which included river trips down the San Juan and Dolores Rivers, hiking in Grand Gulch and other canyons in Southeast Utah, and many trips throughout the Navajo and Hopi Reservations, instilled in Ben a love for the Southwest that endures today. While he was teaching in West Hartford, he took students on extended camping and hiking trips throughout the Four Corners area for seven summers. Introducing youngsters from New England to the geology, archaeology, and natural history of the Southwest was both rewarding and fun. Few areas were left unexplored, including Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, during those years.

Ben also is a rancher, raising Red Angus cross cattle on his Fire Rock Ranch outside of Elizabeth, Colorado. He is active in 4-H in Elbert County in addition to serving on the County Fair Board and the Elbert Douglas County Livestock Association Board. Additionally, Ben serves on various other boards, including the National Western Stock Show, the Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust, and the Colorado Historical Foundation. He also is a member of the Roundup Riders of the Rockies. His wife Laurie has a small landscaping business in Elbert and Douglas Counties, and he has two children, Benjy (24) and Rettie (20). When time allows, Ben is an avid fly fisherman as well.

Ben is very excited to be coming to the Mesa Verde Foundation. "The region and the Park represent an important part of my past, and it is one of the most culturally and geologically diverse areas in North America. Helping in its preservation and enhancement is going to be both exciting and rewarding".

MVMA is partnering with ARAMARK Mesa Verde to enhance visitor services by offering bus tour sales at its Colorado Welcome Center store. Visitors may now book spaces on NPS ranger-guided half-day "700 Years" ($45 adult, $34 child) and "Classic Pueblo" ($35 adult, $17.50 child) tours as well as the popular "Far View Explorer" ($25 adult, $12.50 child) tours. Tickets for ranger-led tours of Cliff Palace, Balcony House, and Long House are also available for $3 per person per tour, and can be purchased up to two days in advance of the tour. See the MVMA store staff at the CWC for assistance. The CWC is currently open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 928 E. Main Street in Cortez. Please call 970-564-0780 for more information.

The dignity and beauty of Native American civilization is captured in this stunning collection of duotone photographs taken between 1862 and 1918. The development of the art of photography and the devastation of the Native Americans took place simultaneously, and here are the poignant images that resulted. Selected from the renowned Kurt Koegler collection, these works present a searing view of tribes whose vanishing traditions were captured on film just before they disappeared forever. Softcover; $19.95. Click here to order yours today.

As always, Mesa Verde Association members receive a 20% discount on all purchases when you order by phone or shop in our stores. Place your order today at 800-305-6053 or 970-529-4445. Not a member yet? It’s easy to join! Just click here or call us.